auto high-beams turning off intermittently

My automatic high beams are acting funny. My Prius does NOT have auto lights on/off. I leave my auto high beam switch in the on position (green illuminated switch left of the steering column).

When I turn on my headlights, the instrument panel shows a headlight with the word "auto" underneath it. Driving at night my headlights dim to low-beam when a vehicle approaches from the opposite direction or if I'm following a vehicle. A few seconds after the vehicle passes me in the opposite direction my headlights return to high-beam. That's the way they're supposed to work.

Every once in a while, right AFTER the oncoming vehicle passes me (and I'm NOT following another vehicle), the "auto" indicator on the dashboard goes out and my high beams do NOT turn back on. The low beams stay on. The auto high-beam switch to the left of the steering column is still green (turned on). About 30-45 seconds later, the "auto" indicator on the dashboard comes back on and my high-beams come back on.

I live in a rural area with no street lights and no other lights such as porch lights or spotlights in someone's yard. Still, the "auto" indicator should NOT turn off if the sensor "sees" stray illumination.

The car is at the dealer tonight. The mechanic called me this evening and said the "auto" indicator turns off because of reflective signs on the side of the road. When I pick the car up tomorrow I'm going to tell him his reason is hogwash. I've had the high-beams go off due to reflective signs, but the indicator still says "auto".

Has anyone else had this problem? I read you can change the sensitivity, but I have not changed it.

 

Thanks Salamander King. I searched before I posted but I could not find a related posting so I posted under "Toyota Prius Plug-in Forums - Prime Care (etc)". My Dealer said it was normal like many others have said following your link above. I'll contact NHTSA and complain.